For 14 years, being named a finalist or winner at the Influential Women Awards has been one of the region’s greatest honors. These women are leaders, innovators, and role models who’ve left a lasting mark on their fields and communities.
As NWIIWA alumni, they carry more than a title—they carry a legacy. One built on excellence, integrity, and impact. And now, they pass that legacy on—empowering the next generation to rise, lead, and do the same.
2024 Influential Women of Northwest Indiana Winners
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Dr. Maria Hughes
OVERALL
Up & Coming Woman of the Year -
Amy Henningfield
OVERALL
Influential Woman of the Year -
Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch
COMMUNITY LEADER OF THE YEAR
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Aida Abuelizam
SUPPORTER OF THE YEAR
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Maddie Wimple
YOUTH AWARD WINNER
Non-Profit Category -
Andrea Pearman, IOM
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
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LaQuisha Jackson
ARTS
Up & Coming Woman of the Year -
Debra Bolaños
ARTS
Influential Woman of the Year -
Shaya Wimple
BUSINESS
Up & Coming Woman of the Year -
Rhonda Zaluckyj
BUSINESS
Influential Woman of the Year -
Melissa McLindon
CONSTRUCTION / MANUFACTURING
Up & Coming Woman of the Year -
Morgan Davis
CONSTRUCTION / MANUFACTURING
Influential Woman of the Year -
“Miss Robin” Arvanitis
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT / GOVERNMENT
Up & Coming Woman of the Year -
Julie Wendorf
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT / GOVERNMENT
Influential Woman of the Year -
Roxanna O’Rourke
EDUCATION
Up & Coming Woman of the Year -
Gisele Casanova
EDUCATION
Influential Woman of the Year -
Shvonne Barber
FINANCE
Up & Coming Woman of the Year -
Katie Craig
FINANCE
Influential Woman of the Year -
Kele Ivey, BSN, RN, SANE-A
HEALTHCARE
Up & Coming Woman of the Year -
Regina Nelson
HEALTHCARE
Influential Woman of the Year -
Courtney Smith
LAW
Up & Coming Woman of the Year -
Amy Nowaczyk
LAW
Influential Woman of the Year -
Susan Thompson
MARKETING & MEDIA
Up & Coming Woman of the Year -
Christi Hardesty
MARKETING & MEDIA
Influential Woman of the Year -
Brittany Caraballo
NONPROFIT
Up & Coming Woman of the Year -
Sheila Chandler
NONPROFIT
Influential Woman of the Year -
Tracee Jury
SERVICE & TOURISM
Up & Coming Woman of the Year -
Jeny Burkhart
SERVICE & TOURISM
Influential Woman of the Year -
Rachel Ritter
STEM
Up & Coming Woman of the Year -
Alyssa Nyberg
STEM
Influential Woman of the Year
Arts
Up & Coming Woman of the Year
2023 – Brittany Edmonds, Famous Athletics
2022 - Alicia Hodges, Alicia HodgesPortraiture
2021 – Bridget Covert, South Shore Arts
2019 – Lita Sena-Lopez, Kahler Middle School
Influential Woman of the Year
2023 – Gloria Tuohy, Indiana Ballet Theatre
2022 - Robin Arvanitis, Patti’s All-American Gymnastics
2021 – Bridget Covert, South Shore Arts
2019 – Lita Sena-Lopez, Kahler Middle School
Business
Up & Coming Woman of the Year
2023 – Lisa Harrington, Mermaid Straw
2022 - Trish Geyer, ALLSTATE
2021 – Heather McColly, McColly Real Estate
2019 – Natalie Krivas, AM Stabilizers
2018 – Farren Felus, Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce
2017 – Stephanie Woods, Revolution Fitness
2016 – Kathy Neary, Ivy Tech Community College
2015 – Rachel Gajos, Methodist Hospitals
2014 – Angie Nelson-Deuitch, NIPSCO
2013 – Theresa Valade, SuccessTrek, Inc.
2012 – Julie Bieszczat, Barney Enterprises Management Services
Influential Woman of the Year
2023 – Lynn Duttlinger, CLH CPAs and Consultants
2022 – Stephanie Keller, CliftonLarsonAllen
2021 – Gloria Morris, Google
2019 – Lisa Preston, St. John Animal Clinic
2018 – Patti Komara, Patti’s All American
2017 – Danette Garza, Jack Gray Transport, Inc.
2016 – Anita Marie Kozlowski, Screw Conveyor Corporation
2015 – Gerri Davis-Parker, Truck City of Gary, Inc.
2014 – Shelly Iliff, Duke Energy
2013 – Kimberly Broader, NIPSCO
2012 – Violet Sistovaris, NIPSCO
Influential Woman of the Year
2023 – Robin Witte, Facet Architecture
2022 – Norma Williams, Excellence by Design
2021 – Laura Small, Holladay Properties
2019 – Tannaz Javadi, ArcelorMittal Global R&D
2018 – Amy Henningfield, Superior Construction
2017 – Kelly Dallas, ArcelorMittal USA
2016 – Teresa Iaquinta, Matrix North American Construction
2015 – Tish Roach, Building and Construction Resource Center (BCRC)
2014 – La Rhonda Lenski, Majestic Star Casino
2013 – Melissa Neff, Mechanical Concepts, Inc.
2012 – Wendy Hoppe, Hoppe PRO Hardware, Inc.
2011 - Sarah Polman, Arctic Engineering Co.
Construction/Manufacturing
Up & Coming Woman of the Year
2023 – Linda Monge Guerrero, NiSource
2022 - Julianne Tattersall, Korellis
2021 – Lyndie Walton, Continental Electric
2019 – Patty Stovall, Hasse Construction
2018 – Zhifen Wang, ArcelorMittal Global R&D
2017 – Aida Haigh, NiSource Inc.
2016 – Jessica Vargas, Holladay Properties
2015 – Britta Haalboom, NIPSCO
2014 – Anna Tristan, Sargent Electric Company
2013 – Tricia Hanrath, Superior Construction
2012 – Melissa Strayer, Matrix NAC
2011 – Karyn Gallas, Schererville Glass & Mirror
Economic Development / Government
Up & Coming Woman of the Year
2023 – Wendy Mis, Town of Munster
2022 – Mary Perren, Starke County Economic Development Foundation, Inc.
2021 – Laura Shurr Blaney, Porter County Commissioner
2019 – Katie Hall, Crossroads CASA
2018 – Katie Eaton, Economic Development Corporation Michigan City
2017 – Stephanie Kuziela, Town of Chesterton
2016 – Lorri Feldt, Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center
2015 – Africa Tarver, City of Hammond
2014 – Sherri Ziller, Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority
2013 – Tina Rongers, KarnerBlue Era
2012 – Karen Lauerman, Lake County IN Economic Alliance
2011 – Elizabeth Jacobson, City of Hammond
Influential Woman of the Year
2023 – Jane Jordan, Town of Burns Harbor
2022 – Alexius Barber, NiSource
2021 – Sarita Titus, Gary Police Department
2019 – Jennifer Gadzala, Town of Chesterton
2018 – Sherri Rainford, Town of Morrocco
2017 – Rachel Oesterreich, Starke County Highway Department
2016 – Teresa Iaquinta, Matrix North American Construction
2015 – Tish Roach, Building and Construction Resource Center (BCRC)
2014 – La Rhonda Lenski, Majestic Star Casino
2013 – Melissa Neff, Mechanical Concepts, Inc.
2012 – Wendy Hoppe, Hoppe PRO Hardware, Inc.
2011 - Sarah Polman, Arctic Engineering Co.
Influential Woman of the Year
2023 – Shaunna Finley, Communities in Schools
2022 – Kristin Burton, Purdue University Northwest
2021 – Raida Abuizam, PhD, Purdue University Northwest
2019 – Mary Ann Chapko, Eisenhower Elementary
2018 – Dr. Sharon Johnson-Shirley, Lake Ridge New Tech Schools
2017 – Dr. Cynthia Roberts, Indiana University Northwest
2016 – Dr. Marsha King, University of Saint Francis
2015 – Barbara Eason-Watkins, Michigan City Area Schools
2014 – Dr. Teresa A. Eineman, Crown Point Community School Corporation
2013 – O’Merrial Butchee, Ivy Tech Community College
2012 – Debra Ciochina, Crown Point Community School Corporation
2011 – Dr. Charlotte Reed, Indiana University Northwest
Education
Up & Coming Woman of the Year
2023 – Lydia McNeiley, School City of Hammond
2022 – Audrey Faith Randle, Hammond Area Career Center
2021 – Katrina Alexander, School City of East Chicago
2019 – Uzoma Obidike, She Leads Beautifully
2018 – Valentine Torres, Hobart High School
2017 – Michelle Biel Ondas, Gavit Middle/High School
2016 – Dr. Karen Bishop Morris, Purdue University Northwest
2015 – Dr. Jenny McGill, Indiana Wesleyan University
2014 – Dr. Neeti Parashar, Purdue University Calumet
2013 – Regina Biddings-Muro, Purdue University Calumet
2012 – Frances Vega-Steele, Ivy Tech Community College
2011 – Anne Van Keppel, Valparaiso University
Finance
Up & Coming Woman of the Year
2023 – Angelica Arambula, The University of Chicago
2022 – Lisa Kuehl, Horizon Bank
2021 – Stephany Leonard, Teachers Credit Union
2019 – Candice Kouros Logue, Peoples Bank
2018 – Sarah Kotys, Kotys Wealth Professionals
2017 – Tiffany Irving, BMO Private Bank
2016 – Lauren Trumbo, St. Catherine Hospital
2015 – Niccole Zell, Regional Development Company
2014 – Jennifer Brock, Sage-Popovich Inc.
2013 – Jocelyn Hibshman, Lakeside Wealth Management Group
2012 – Martha Sandoval, First Midwest Bank
2011 – Theresa Mudd, First Merchants Bank
Influential Woman of the Year
2023 – Karin DeVries, Horizon Bank
2022 – Helen Pennington, USAA
2021 – Mary Wright, Horizon Bank
2019 – Kathy Ireland, Wintrust
2018 – Nicole Nalepa, Horizon Bank
2017 – Kelly Shikany, Lakeside Wealth Management
2016 – Karen Candiano, Eley-Graham Financial Advisory Services, Inc.
2015 – Mary Ann Shacklett, Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana, Inc.
2014 – Martha Rivas Ramos, First Midwest Bank
2013 – Rachel Saxon, Horizon Trust & Investment Management
2012 – Rene Martin, First Merchants Bank
2011 – Carol Highsmith, Centier Bank
Healthcare
Up & Coming Woman of the Year
2023 – Jervai Dumas, CASA/IUN
2022 – Tiffany Conover, St. Catherine Hospital
2021 – Olivia Flaherty, RN, Franciscan Health
2019 – Brittany Owen, Winfield Family Health
2018 – Denise Carpenter, NorthShore Health Centers
2017 – Christina Matoski, Ourhealth
2016 – Julie Bombacino, Real Food Blends
2015 – Jennifer Myers Mullen, Methodist Hospitals
2014 – Khisha Anderson, Community Healthcare System
2013 – Cynthia Thompson, Hammond Clinic
2012 – Micki Pawlowski, Calumet Orthopedic and Prosthetic Co., Inc.
2011 – Marjie Laciak, Fagen Pharmacy
Influential Woman of the Year
2023 – Kristen Jeppeson, Community Hospital
2022 – Erica Kaufman West, MD, Franciscan Health
2021 – Michelle Resendez, Franciscan Health
2019 – Sister Marlene Shapley, Franciscan Health
2018 – Dr. Janet Seabrook, Community HealthNet Health Centers
2017 – Julie Mallers, Franciscan St. Clare Clinic
2016 – Lori Postma, Franciscan Alliance Inc.
2015 – Maryann Fumo, Franciscan Alliance Inc.
2014 – Patricia Weber, Franciscan Alliance
2013 – Jo Ann Birdzell, St. Catherine Hospital
2012 – Janice Ryba, St. Mary Medical Center
2011 – Barbara Anderson, St. Anthony Health
Law
Up & Coming Woman of the Year
2023 – Rebecca Goddard, Newton County Prosecutor’s Office/Ryan Law Offices
2022 – Allison Pulliam, Eichhorn & Eichhorn, LLP
2021 – Tara Tauber, Tauber Law Offices
2019 – Nicole M Keith, Krieg DeVault LLP
2018 – Angela Jones, The Law Office of Angela M Jones
2017 – Patricia Roman Hass, Indiana Legal Services
2016 – Dana Zivkovich, Zivkovich Law Offices LLC
2015 – Julia Kwait, Eichhorn & Eichhorn, LLP
2014 – Shelbie J. Byers, Hoeppner, Wagner & Evans, LLP
2013 – Dana Rifai, Burke Costanza & Carberry LLP
2012 – Carly Brandenburg, Eichhorn & Eichhorn, LLP
2011 – Marissa McDermott, McDermott Law Office
Influential Woman of the Year
2023 – Carly Brandenburg, Eichhorn & Eichhorn
2022 – Heather McCarthy, Law Office of Heather A. McCarthy
2021 – Tara Worthley, Langer and Langer
2019 – America McAlpin, Austgen Kuiper Jasaitis, P.C. / Lake Superior Court
2018 – Julie Rosenwinkel, Krieg DeVault LLP
2017 – Melissa Cohen, Cohen & Sawochka
2016 – Leane English Cerven, NorthWest Indiana Bancorp/Peoples Bank
2015 – Elizabeth F. Tavitas, Lake Superior Court Domestic Relations Division
2014 – Jaime Oss, Huelat, Mack & Kreppein, P.C.
2013 – Sean Kenyon, Hoeppner, Wagner, and Evans LLP
2012 – Melanie Dunajeski, Drewry Simmons Vornehm, LLP
2011 – Renee J. Mortimer, Hinshaw & Culberson
Nonprofit
Up & Coming Woman of the Year
2023 – Buffy Adams, Indiana Youth Group
2022 – Juanita Boland, Crisis Center, Inc. A Youth Service Bureau
2021 – Stephanie Trendowski, Mom Congress
2019 – Michelle Novak, Tradewinds
2018 – Jean Bowman, Nazareth Home
2017 – Amelia Kowalisyn, Emma’s Footprints
2016 – Mackenna Schon, United Way of Porter County
2015 – Lisa Coyle, Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana
2014 – Donna Golob, PATH, Inc
2013 – Monique Ruiz, Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce
2012 – Melissa Castly-Kirinic, United Way of Porter County
2011 – Heather Ennis, Northwest Indiana Forum
Marketing/Media
Up & Coming Woman of the Year
2023 – Melissa Bohacek, Paladin
2022 – Samantha Bean, Lubeznik Center for the Arts
2021 – Charlotte Liss, CARSTAR Liss Auto Body
2019 – Jen Soffin, The IN Coast
2018 – Jenny Craig-Brown, Ideas in Motion Media
2017 – Tricia Sena, Luke Oil
2016 – Kristin Johnson, SecurMAR LLC
2015 – Alexis Vazquez Dedelow, WJOB AM 1230
2014 – Angela Moore, St. Catherine Hospital
2013 – Brandi Anstine, HealthLinc
2012 – Angie Tsikouris, Spine Care Specialists
2011 – Meghan Mauman, View Outdoor Advertising
Influential Woman of the Year
2023 – Lauri Keagle, Franciscan Alliance
2022 – Angela Spencer, White Iris
2021 – Jennifer Cosenza, Acorn Marketing by Design
2019 – Marie Forszt, Community Healthcare System
2018 – Carrie Kuck, HealthLinc
2017 – Gina Altieri, Phenix7 Marketing, Inc.
2016 – Kris Falzone, Purdue University Northwest
2015 – Susan Brychell, Purdue University North Central
2014 – Andrea Spanburg-Sherwin, Centier Bank
2013 – Chelsea Whittington, Indiana University Northwest & C WHITT PR
2012 – Cheryl Justak, Golf Now! Chicago Magazine
2011 – Pat Colander, The Times
Influential Woman of the Year
2023 – Vickie Rainwater, Mental Health America of NWI
2022 – Erika Miller, Goodwill Industries of Michiana
2021 – Prophetess Burgess Peoples, Guaranteed Income Validation Effort (GIVE)
2019 – Nupur Arora, Food Bank of NWI
2018 – Debie Coble, Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc
2017 – Renae Vania-Tomczak, Mental Health America of Lake County
2016 – Dr. Sharron Hightower-Liggins, Continuum of Care Network of NWI, Inc.
2015 – Sandra Noe, Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana, Inc.
2014 – Sister Peg Spindler, Sojourner Truth House
2013 – Maggi Spartz, Unity Foundation of LaPorte County
2012 – Danita Johnson Hughes, Edgewater Behavioral Health Services
2011 – Patricia Huber, Crown Point Community Foundation
Service/Tourism
Up & Coming Woman of the Year
2023 – Natalie Paton, Luke Family of Brands
2022 – Miranda O’Block, Tavern on Main
2021 – Orlee Glazer, Barre+Beyond
2019 – Nicole Caylor, Aftermath Cidery & Winery and Running Vines Winery
2018 – Diana Bosse, City of Crown Point
2017 – Paula Broutman, Performance Plus
2016 – Lydia Ramos, Hammond Horseshoe Casino
2015 – Crystal Martin, L’abn MediSpa & Therapy Center
2014 – Dana More, Luke Family of Brands
2013 – Allyson Baughman, Duneland Chamber of Commerce
2012 – Jennie Burgess, City of Crown Point
2011 – Niko Sullivan, Lost Marsh Golf Course
Influential Woman of the Year
2023 – Deborah Bachmann, Purdue University Northwest
2022 – Stacey Beal, Luke Family of Brands
2021 – Kiki Encarnacion, Hard Rock Casino
2019 – Natalie Johnson, Save the Dunes
2018 – Kate Rather, Green is Good by Kate
2017 – Toula Klideris, Prime Steakhouse
2016 – Polly Grieger-Rossi, CMP-HC, CMM, HMCC, Meeting Achievements
2015 – Julie Basich, Fair Oaks Farms
2014 – Deann Patena, Fair Oaks Farms
2013 – Lorelei Weimer, Indiana Dunes Tourism
2012 – Chareice White, Majestic Star Casino
2011 – Dawn Reynolds Pettit, Horseshoe Casino
STEM
Up & Coming Woman of the Year
2023 – Gianna Zyla, NiSource
2022 – Brianna Styck, Newton County Soil and Water Conservation District
2021 – Maureen Carroll, MonoSol
2019 – Michele Murday, EnviroForensics
Influential Woman of the Year
2023 – Erin Bemis, bp
2022 – Nasim Azimi, MonoSol
2019 – Megan Glaros, CBS Chicago
Overall
Up & Coming Woman of the Year
2023 – Teri Wallace, Wallace Consulting LLC
2022 – Claudia Jones, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana
2021 – Anne Anderson, City of Hammond
2019 – Vicki Urbanik, Porter County Auditor
2018 – Heather Garay, City of Hammond
2017 – Michelle Biel Ondas, Gavit Middle/High School
2016 – Kristin Johnson, SecurMAR LLC
2015 – Africa Tarver, City of Hammond
2014 – Dr. Neeti Parashar, Purdue University Calumet
2013 – Tricia Hanrath, Superior Construction
2012 – Melissa Strayer, Matrix NAC
2011 – Niko Sullivan, Lost Marsh Golf Course
Influential Woman of the Year
2023 – Jessica Kish, New Chapter Real Estate
2022 – Audra Peterson, Porter County Education Services
2021 – Denise Conlon, NIPSCO
2019 – Kim Blaesing, Tiger Plumbing
2018 – Stacey Brock, NIPSCO
2017 – Julie Mallers, Franciscan St. Clare Clinic
2016 – Leane Cerven, Northwest Indiana Bancorp/Peoples Bank
2015 – Gerri Davis-Parker, Truck City of Gary, Inc.
2014 – Sister Peg Spindler, Sojourner Truth House
2013 – Jo Ann Birdzell, St. Catherine Hospital
2012 – Chareice White, Majestic Star Casino
2011 – Barbara Greene, Board of Directors, Community Foundation of NWI
Community Leader of the Year
2023 – Sherri Ziller, Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA)
2022 – Kelly Vates, Fair Haven Rape Crisis Center
2021 – Tammi Davis, The Obama Foundation
2019 – Andrea Graciano, Victim Advocate Hobart Police
2018 – Helen Garrison, Albert’s Diamond Jewelers
2017 – Karen Maravilla, It’s Just Serendipity
2016 – Sue Reed, Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce
2015 – Analisa Warring, (Up & Coming Community Leader) REGIONAL Federal Credit Union
2015 – Linda Woloshansky, LM Woloshansky & Associates
2014 – Desila Rosetti, Organizational Development Solutions
2013 – Denise Dillard, Methodist Hospitals
2012 – Jill Ritchie, Lost Marsh Golf Course
Supporter of the Year
2023 – Deanna Chase, Horizon Bank
2022 – Kylee Fraze Norman, CLH, CPAs & Consultants
2021 – Lisa Kuehl, Horizon Bank
2019 – Cynthia J. Warner-Lowe, Hammond Adult Education
2018 – Erica Dombey, Regional Development Company
2017 – Charles Nordyke, Vibra Hospital of Northwestern Indiana
2016 – Ed Kasza, The Little Guys Home Technology
2015 – Carly Brandenburg, Eichhorn & Eichhom, LLP
2014 – Sister Aline Shultz, Franciscan Alliance
2013 – Calvin Bellamy, Krieg DeVault
Empowering Business of the Year
2019 – Jay Marie Salon and Spa
2018 – Lippert Components and Acts of Service
2017 – Horseshoe Casino Hammond
2016 – Strack & Van Til
2015 – Mental Health America of Lake County
2014 – Community Healthcare System
2013 – NIPSCO
2012 – Fair Oaks Farms
